Momentum - Business to Business Online Magazine MOMENTUM September 2019 | Page 32

EDUCATION
JODY CERISANO
Huntington Learning Center of League City
832.864.2769
Do you have a senior in
high school who plans
to go to college next year?
D
o you have a senior in high school who
plans to go to college next year? Although
your teen may have put in quite a bit
of effort toward the college application
process already, senior year is no time to
slack. These last nine months of high school are when
teens really need to stay on track to ensure they do
not miss any important deadlines as they make this
important life decision. Here’s a senior year college
application calendar that your teen should keep on
hand:
September
• Make a list of top college choices with their
application and financial aid due dates.
• Make a list of all scholarships to which you plan to
apply and their due dates.
• Get familiar with the Free Application for Federal
Student Aid website (https://fafsa.ed.gov/) and
requirements for submitting yours, as soon as
possible, after October 1.
• Request recommendation letters to give teachers/
counselors with plenty of notice, as they will receive
requests from other students as well.
• Register to retake the ACT or SAT in October, if
needed.
October
• If applying for early decision/early action, begin
working on applications. Many colleges have
early admissions application deadlines as soon as
November 1.
• Begin drafting any application essays.
• Register to retake the SAT in November, if needed.
• Schedule any interviews competitive universities
require and rehearse.
November
• Request that the guidance counselor send first-
semester transcripts to all colleges to which you are
applying.
• Register to retake the ACT or SAT in December, if
needed.
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December
• Submit any college applications due in early 2019.
• If you submitted your FAFSA in the fall, keep an eye
out for the Student Aid Report, which colleges use to
put together your college financial aid package.
• If you applied for early decision, keep an eye out for
admissions letters. You should hear something in mid-
December.
• Review your scholarship list. Have you submitted
applications on time? Remember that the more you
apply, the greater your chances are of receiving some
scholarship money. Every dollar counts.
January /February
• Continue working hard in school to maintain a high
GPA. Colleges often want to see spring semester
grades.
• After winter break, touch base with the guidance
counselor to make sure there’s nothing you’ve
overlooked.
• Relax! The hardest part is behind you, and now you
wait to hear from colleges.
March/April
• If you applied for regular decision, keep an eye out
for admissions letters. You should expect to hear
something within six to eight weeks, so if you sent your
application in mid-January, a notification by mid-April is
likely.
• Once you do hear from all colleges, review your
acceptance letters and compare financial aid offers.
Contact each college’s financial aid office with any
questions.
• Make your college decision and let all colleges know.
Many colleges request that you notify them of your
plans by May 1.
May
• Request final transcripts are sent to the college you’re
attending.
• Celebrate!
Senior year is an exciting time for teens and their par-
ents, but it’s essential to pay attention to all deadlines.